Family and Friends,
It is that time of year when I've got to rattle my brain and recall all the new and wonderful things that have happened in our lives. It is really hard to do when my brain is half way frozen from being up here in Heber; I sometimes miss the hot, toasty weather in Scottsdale.
When school rolled around, Mark and I thought it would be "fun" to enroll the kids in school in Heber. Mark would stay in Scottsdale for work and I would stay with the kids. Every other weekend I would make the two hour drive home and on the other weekend Mark would drive up. Therefore, we did this and have stuck to this routine since August. We haven't quite decided if we will do this past the calendar year, but as for now, this is our life.
The kids have loved every moment of "this little village". I feel like they have been more involved in school, church and the town activities. In the middle of the heat, they can play outside. They even have cousins, around the corner. The town is small and everyone knows everyone, very different from Scottsdale. We even have visitors, which usually consist of Mogollon High School boys, but, according to Jacob, they are "Alyssa's brothers".
Alyssa, my 14 year old Freshman, has adapted well. She is playing basketball as a Mustang. She poof's her hair, wears cowboy boots and loves country music. She is as tall as myself and borrows all my clothes, although, she has given me one item back, my Joseph City Wildcat sweatshirt. The Wildcats and the Mustangs are rivals.
My 5th grader, Amber, has matured so much this year. She is not the shy little girl I once knew. She is very bright and takes pride in her school work, she never wants me to help her. She is playing the piano and practices ALL the time. Amber is also my best little helper, especially if it involves money.
Auti, my 9 year old, has taken her artistic dreams to a new level. I love listening to her ideas and thoughts on a project she is working on. She too wants no help from me. Auti has a beautiful smile, that I love, she wears it often. She looks forward to her piano lessons and quiet playtime with her Barbies.
My little 4 year old, Jacob, is a ball full of energy. Jacob is one of the brightest, tallest and happiest kids in his Scottsdale preschool class. He loves to talk and he always has something to say, if I can't hear him I wonder what he is doing. He likes to look at books and he has taken a huge interest in the Target Christmas Toy magazine.
Mark continues to report to work, and he must love it because I have heard him mention that he cannot wait to go to work where he can be boss. He continues to "tri", but, knee surgery this summer has slowed him down, along with a four year old little boy who wants a playmate.
As for myself, I continue to run around like a chicken with my head cut off; but, I enjoy it. I have a great family, my kids are happy and my husband is wonderful. Life couldn't be better; well, maybe with a maid.
Happy Holidays from our house to yours! Mark, Twila, Alyssa, Amberae, Auti & Jacob
